Rupununi Sampler
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You'll have a soft landing in Georgetown at the Rainforest Bed and Breakfast, a quiet, comfortable, immaculately kept haven in the middle of the city.
Guests have a whole floor to themselves, complete with kitchen, dining and living room, four bedrooms with private baths and a verandah overlooking a lush tropical garden.
Your hosts are an American-Guyanese couple ready to orient and assist you as needed.
Day 1
From Ogle Airport in Georgetown you fly two hours south over spectacular rainforest views to Karanambu, and then you're just a half-hour by Land Rover from the Makushi (indigenous) village of Yupukari and accommodation at Caiman House Field Station.
The first evening you are invited to accompany the caiman-catching crew as they capture the endangered black caiman. Guests will observe capture from a separate boat, but will be offered the opportunity to assist in data collection. Caiman are weighed, measured, sexed, and tagged.
Day 2
After a night of caiman study, you may want to sleep in and later visit with local villagers and artisans. Or check out our collection of local wildlife, brought in for a closer look. In season you may accompany the crew as they visit caiman nests for data collection.
Day 3
An hourlong trip down the Rupununi River to observe the unique and abundant wildlife takes you to Karanambu Lodge, where guests often swim with Diane McTurk's giant river otters.
Day 4
After a hearty Karanambu breakfast, you'll be taken to see giant Victoria Amazonica water lilies and their feathered neighbors. A drive on the savannas often reveals a giant anteater taking a stroll.
Day 5
After breakfast you depart Karanambu, via boat downriver or overland by Land Rover to Surama, where you may settle in either at the riverside Karahara Landing (hammocks only) or at Surama EcoLodge.
Day 6
At Surama, trek the trails for bird and wildlife watching, enjoy the Buru Buru river drift, or tour Surama Village, renowned as a model of indigenous community development.
Day 7
Iwokrama Wilderness Reserve. Hike nature trails by day; overnight in hammocks, high in the forest canopy. With about 450 species recorded of an estimated species count over 500, Iwokrama is a bird watcher's paradise. Higher densities of the larger fruit-eating birds, such as cracids, cotingas and parrots, are found here than in any other area of the Guiana Shield or Amazonia. Click here to learn more about the birds you can see in Guyana.
Day 8
Early morning walk through the canopy to observe birds and wildlife, then hike the Cock-of-the-Rock trail to your next stop, Rock View Lodge, for swimming, excellent food, and comfortable cabins.
Day 9
Fly Annai to Georgetown, where you can settle in at the Rainforest Bed and Breakfast or spend the afternoon visiting the Botanical Garden, the Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology, colorful Stabroek Market, or the Zoo.
Day 10
Excursion by air to Kaieteur Falls. Overnight at Rainforest B & B.
Day 11
Depart Georgetown.